While shaking up Taiwan's landscape, the 921 earthquake caused the reappearance of Tsaoling Lake (草嶺潭), an event which is significant in the island's history.
According to records, the Tsaoling Lake has re-emerged three times over the past one hundred years.
The first time was during the earthquake in the Chiayi-Tainan area in June 1861, which burst in 1925 after almost 65 years of existence.
The second time was during another earthquake in the same region in December 1941. It burst in May 1951, after ten years of existence.
The third time it appeared was in August 1979, during heavy rains brought by a typhoon. It collapsed only after ten days.
As aftershocks continue to shake Taiwan after the 921 quake, landslides are still filling up rivers and valleys.
From a hydrological viewpoint, the lake created by the 921 earthquake does have its raison d'etre.
Blowing it up in haste is definitely ill-advised, and may even bring another disaster.
The bursting of the lake may bring unpredictable and uncontrollable damage.
To prevent this, the two most urgent things to do are: alleviate existing pressure in the lake and reduce the build-up of additional pressure.
With heavy rains still posing a threat at the moment, how to reduce the additional pressure seems the most urgent task.
There are three sources of additional pressure: aftershocks, landslides, and accumulated water.
I will not discuss aftershocks here, as they are beyond human control. To prevent landslides, we can immediately start sowing grass seeds on the slopes around the lake.
It will speed up the growth of tree coverage and help soil and water conservation.
It will help stabilize the surrounding slopes by reducing erosion and improve the environment as far as diversity of flora is concerned.
The alleviation of water pressure accumulating in the lake is a matter of utmost importance.
This can be done by building check dams in selective areas upstream, across the Tsaojui (草瑞) Gorge, up to the junction of the Alishan (阿里山) and Shihkupan (石谷盤) rivers around the Chuantsaishe (全仔社) area, which is around eight kilometers upstream.
The check dams will block the flow from major water sources and reduce pressure inside the lake. The catchment area around
Chuantsaishe is vast and shallow. After the two rivers meet, the flow enters the deep, narrow Tsaojui Gorge.
It may be easier to control the water accumulation with safety dams in the gorge area, which has extremely sturdy rocks.
Located next to the Tsaojui highway, the area has also sustained relatively minor damage in the earthquake.
With relatively unaffected roads, logistical problems concerning the transportation of materials and equipment should be minimal.
In addition, Jenhe village, near Chuantsaishe, has gravel mines and concrete plants.
With all the necessary machinery, manpower and materials already in place, we should be able to quickly complete the construction of dams there.
Once these most critical tasks have been accomplished, we should then build diversion canals to further reduce water pressure inside the lake.
Next will come clearing the area of soil that moved in the landslides, hopefully putting it to good use and restoring the area to its former natural beauty.
Jay J. Choue is a board member of the Society of Streams (
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